A new study has revealed that 280,000 people are recorded as homeless in England – an increase of 23,000 since 2016.

The study, published by the homelessness charity Shelter, contains extensive analysis of official rough-sleeping and temporary accommodation figures, as well as social services records.

As well as an increase in the current levels of homelessness, the research also found that close to 220,000 people in England were threatened with homelessness in the last year.

Shelter warned that the true level of homelessness will be even higher than today’s count because a lot of homelessness, including sofa surfing and some rough sleeping, goes undocumented.

‘Homelessness blights lives and leaves a lasting imprint of trauma, and yet 280,000 people in England are without a home this Christmas. And many are only days away from joining them,’ said Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter.

‘As well as those facing serious ill-health or even death sleeping rough on our streets this winter, there are thousands of families trapped in grotty emergency B&Bs, with no space for children to sit and eat, let alone play.

‘This is the grim truth our new Government must confront and do something radical to change.

‘Until the Government acts to stem this crisis, the work of our frontline advisers remains critical. With the public’s support we will do everything we can to help people find a safe and stable place to live – no matter how long it takes.’

For more on homelessness visit The MJ (£).